New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-06-21


session the box filed. District Attorney
Ridgway found few objections to the talesmeu
called. The chief obstacle interposed for the de-
tendant by his counsel in regard to juryman was
his admission that he read "The Eagle which
proved fatal in every
Chief Nevtns was early at the courtroom and
displayed great nervousness. His face UNI
usually red, and he moved rcstlessly from scat To
seat before tho trial began. Then he had frequent
consultations with Boss" Mclaughlin and Anthony
Barrett Several prominent politicians were in the
courtroom, but there was no crowd of spectators.
Ex-Mayor Low made inquiry Of the clerk whether
he would be wanted to testify yesterday, and
learning that he would-not be called he went To
his office. General b. r. Tracy appeared chief
counsel for Nevins, and he and District Attorney
Ridgway had several verbal encounters over tho
admissibility Of evidence. There considerable
amusement in the examination Of iurymen. Ore
Of those rejected said he saw no harm in public
official taking whatever money he could AS finally
sworn in the jury follows
James Cayanaugh. leather. le4 Bedfordave
Edwsri u. .soGroeasr. glider aSs South ThIrd:s
Arth3ir ASahsi 4 kic.' % hardEsre. ard nS. AIS aase.sye
55sSs Y.r % Es ds IaSee ss fsScsv Ian
George Doaohas real estate % sS asrsi%eFss sshr Ts
vsSy s,i.s % 30
William Gordon oDtician. 44+ BedfOrdave
District-Attorney Ridgway opened the casc with
brief recital Of the facts in the Indictment and
what he wanted to prove. He stumbled over his
statements considerably and evidently took little
interest in the conduct OF the case. Among other
things he said that Nevins raised objections Ia
the stringing OF wires by the Electric Light COM
pany over the tops Of houses on account OF the
increased danger In fires, but this only so that
nc could force his way into the company. lie was
hing OF the wires, for when he was admitted Ia
the company more obstacles arose. Then To get
the needed franchise from the city he told Mr.
Pope that $4,000 would have to be raised by tha
two companies. The S3.S26 contributed by his
fellow stockholders was turned to Nevins, and
he deposited 1t to his credit in the National City
Bank. The fact admitted of the payment Of
the meney, but Nevins did not use it 10 further
The enterprise, and 1t was not needful for him 10
do so. Mr. Pope parted with the money honestly
but Chief Nevins made false representations and
pocketed the money. He deceived Mr.. Pope also
In regard to the Use Of the money, and intlmated
that he had bribcd the Aldermen.
Henry w. Pope, of Elizabeth, \. j., from whom
Nevins received the money he appropriated was
she first witness He testified that he was
member of Pope. Sewall 6 Co, and that he origl-
mated the scheme of forming electric light COM
pany in Brooklyn In NoV embcr, 1888. The COM
oany was named the Citizens Electric Illuminating
Company. When work was begun In putting up
wires for private customers, Nevins went to him
and said he would have To be taken into the COM
pany II the stringing Of wires was allowed. As all
5he stock had been taken by the five original stock
holders one of them, Mr. Icndergast, sold out Ia
Nevins. This in January, 1884.
Subsequently the witness talked with Nevins
several times about scheme by which he proposed
securing 1000 from the stockholders to be used
getting franchise from the city to put up poles
and string wires in the streets. The sum was
afterward reduced to $500, and one-half OF the
amount was to be paid by the Municipal Electric
Light Company, which wanted a franchise for tho
,te 1.ff. Of In. Af.rIg-
holders in his company to pay s425 and he col
lected the checks for this sum from each OF tha
others except Nevins, and with his own turned
them over to Nevtns. The amount WAS s3,s25.
Owing to the fact that the checks were not in the
courtroom, Mr. PoIe's examination was suspended
Tor time.
Charles A. Edwards, one OF the original stock
holders with Pope, Sewal & Co., testified that he
trew a check for $425 TO be paid to Nevns. He
did not know To what it would be put. The
check was to the order OF Pope Scwall y Co., and
he> supposed it represented stockholders assess
ment. The check paid in May, 1884
Mr. Pope then recalled, and he testified THAI
Nevins never told that he wanted the money tn
pay TO any official. When he asked Nevins what
no wanted the money for the latter told him ID
was none Of his business, words to that effect.
lie paid the money to Nevins because he thought
1t was the only way TO get franchise, but he had
10 evidence that it would be used corruptly.
General Tracy and DStrictAttorney Rldgway
he dates when the Aldermen granted the franchises
10 the two electric Tight companies. Mr. Ridgway
wanted the minutes Of the Board OF Aldermen pro-
duced, although General Tracy offered to prove in
fifteen minutes what the dates Mr. Ridgway
said testify II am conducting my own case, and
hen General Tracy wanted to cross-eNaminc tho
witness aud added ~ will show in fifteen minutes
hat there Is basis for this indictment whatever.
md il will be dismissed"
"You are entirely too sanguine,h retorted tho
lDfstrict-Attorney The hearing adjourned
until 10 a. IN. to-day. The following forty-twu
additional witnesses have been summoned for tho
prosecution:
f. NJ shepard Mr. Goodrich. St Clair McKeway. William
John A Nichols, Charles Cooper, John jenkins H.
City Clerk Stanley Horace D. Deming James
E. browp Anthony barrett Charles Young OK Fire Com
IN John y. Partridge Fire CoDmssoner Richard
H. Pollon James L. Jensen Ripley Ropes. Robert Paine
City Works Commissioner George Rc3rd Conner. cxAlder
Rowe Alderman Rufus L. Scott exAlderman George NJ
Nicaols at Large John A. Quinard Alderman
H. Theophlus OeDa president OF the hoard OF Al
Alderman Theodore d. Dlmon. Alderman James
Kane Alderman John McCarty, OK Alderman John currsn
Alderman George U.Serling cx dernan Anton Mefse
ing ex.Alderman Jefferson Black exAlderman william
A. Mathis, Alderman Mosss Enyc ex.AMetman Jonn
Roesah eX Mayor seth Low and Stenographer james ~
Fish.
RECOGNIZING COL ROBERTSONS RIGHrS
ISprASAPoLIs June 20 (Speed).-When the Indians
p..., n, uaiix to-day Republican